Hidden chamber candle jar housing

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a housing having a hollow enclosure with at least one side wall. A first opening on a first portion of the enclosure is provided for receiving a candle jar therethrough, and a second opening on a second portion of the enclosure is provided for receiving a candle jar lid therethrough. A shelf is positioned within the enclosure to separate the first and second portions. The shelf includes a surface facing the first portion for supporting a candle jar.

BACKGROUND

Housings for displaying and enhancing the appeal of candle jars are known in the art. Typical candle jars include a transparent or translucent bottle filled with a candle fuel. One or more wicks extend from the fuel toward an open end of the bottle. Typically, the candles are larger in size and intended for multiple, independent uses. As such a cover or lid is provided for closing the jar after use to preserve the scent. While the known housings may be satisfactory for the candle jar itself, they do not address the security or attractive storage of the candle jar cover or lid.

In use, the lid of the candle jar is removed when the wick is lit. Once removed, the lid, which may frequently be delicate and prone to breakage, must be separately addressed. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a housing which not only serves as an enclosure for the candle jar, but serves to safely and conveniently store the lid.

SUMMARY

A housing comprising a hollow enclosure having a partition that divides the housing into at least a first portion and a second portion with one portion sized to define a candle jar receiving cavity and the other portion sized to define a candle jar cover receiving cavity is provided. In alternative embodiments, there are also provided an embodiment which includes a drawer within the enclosure and an embodiment which includes a movable portion of the housing to provide storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a housing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a housing according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a housing according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front”, “back”, “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-3 show a housing 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The housing 10 in this illustration is constructed of wood and includes side walls 12 forming a hollow enclosure, and a shelf 16 which partitions the enclosure into two portions. The housing 10 is sized to receive a compatibly sized candle jar 40 on shelf 16 through a top opening 14 and a candle jar lid 42 under shelf 16 through a bottom opening 18. While the illustrated housing 10 is fabricated from wood, it may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as metal, plastic, composite or glass.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the four side walls 12 are joined together using finger joints at respective edges, and the jar shelf 16 is retained in a groove cut into at least two of the side walls 12. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and the like may be used to join the fabrication materials and decorative elements or other devices may be used to enhance appearance features. In general the housing may be of any shape that will define an enclosure for the candle jar.

The bottom opening 18 is formed by bottom edges 38 of the side walls 12, and a top opening 14 is formed by top edges 34 of the side walls 12. In use, the lip of the candle jar 40 preferably is visible when the jar is placed on the jar shelf 16. While this presents an attractive appearance, the candle jar, if preferred, may be entirely within the housing 10. Once the jar lid 42 is removed from a aperture 44 of the candle jar 40, it is placed on a supporting surface 70 where the candle is to rest and the housing 10 is placed over the jar lid 42 so it is concealed in the bottom aperture 18.

The housing 10 preferably includes apertures 20 in the side walls 12. Preferably, each side wall 12 includes at least one aperture 20, although any number of apertures may be used. The apertures 20 may take on any suitable form including that of geometric shapes, novelty designs or characters, and may include windows or filters to alter the emitted light. In addition to increasing light emission, the apertures are decorative and add to the appearance of the housing. Alternatively, the side walls may be constructed of a non-transparent, but translucent material to allow emission of light.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a housing 110 according to a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention. The housing 110 includes a jar shelf 116 and side walls 112 having top portions 160 and bottom portions 162. In this embodiment, the sides are assembled with mitered edges to provide a furniture like quality to the construction. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the top and bottom portions 160, 162 may be formed of a single continuous piece of material. Floor 118, like the prior embodiment, may be attached to at least two of the side walls 112 at the bottom portions 162. An opening 164 between the jar shelf 116 and the floor 118 is present on one of the side walls 112. Alternatively, more than one opening may be present on one, or more than one, of the side walls. Also, the opening need not span the entire width of a side wall. A drawer 150, preferably, with some form of a grip or handle 152 slides within the opening 164. In this embodiment, the floor 118 may be omitted, and the drawer 150 may be supported by rails or other structure. With this embodiment, the jar lid 42 is stored in drawer 150 when the candle is in use.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a housing 210 according to another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. The housing 210 is similar to the housing 110; however, a hinged door 250 and floor 218 are used to conceal the lid in opening 264. A latch 280, in this case magnetic, is provided to keep the door shut. Alternatively, other types of latches or spring hinges may also be used to close the door 250. Although the door 250 is hinged, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that any suitable door including a sliding or pivoted type door may be used to conceal and protect a jar lid within the housing 210.

While preferred embodiments have been described in detail, the invention is not limited to these specific exemplary embodiments. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention are deemed to be within the scope of the appended claims. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method for displaying a candle jar comprising: providing a housing having a hollow enclosure with at least one side wall, a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion, a first opening on the first portion, and a second opening on the second portion; and providing a shelf, positioned within the enclosure to separate the first and second portions, which includes a first surface facing the first portion and a second surface, opposite the first surface, facing the second portion; inserting a candle jar through the first opening onto the first surface of the shelf within the first portion of the enclosure; and inserting a lid of the candle jar through the second opening within the second portion of the enclosure.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising placing the lid on a third surface external to the housing and placing the housing on the third surface over the lid.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing of the housing includes providing a drawer slideably positioned within the second portion to conceal the second opening, and further comprising placing the lid in the drawer.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing of the housing includes providing a door on the second opening, and further comprising placing the lid within the second portion and closing the door to conceal the lid.
 14. A candle jar housing assembly comprising: a hollow enclosure having a partition shelf that divides the housing into at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being sized to define a candle jar receiving cavity and including at least a first aperture opposite the partition shelf, and the second portion being sized to define a candle jar cover receiving cavity and including at least a second aperture; a candle jar removably positioned on the partition shelf within the first portion of the hollow enclosure; and a candle jar cover, operatively associated with the candle jar, removably positioned within the second portion of the hollow enclosure; wherein the at least the first aperture is sized allow passage of the candle jar therethrough and the at least the second aperture is sized to allow passage of the candle jar cover therethrough.
 15. A housing for a candle having a candle jar and a candle jar lid, the housing comprising: an enclosure that is partitioned into first and second portions, the first portion sized to define a candle jar receiving cavity that receives the candle jar through an aperture opposite the partition, and the second portion defining a candle jar lid receiving cavity.
 16. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the housing defines an exterior dimension and the candle jar lid receiving cavity further includes a floor that is spaced from and generally parallel to the partition and within the exterior dimension.
 17. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the candle jar lid receiving cavity includes a drawer.
 18. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the candle jar lid receiving cavity includes a movable portion.
 19. The housing of claim 18 wherein the movable portion further includes a latch.
 20. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the partition is a floor panel for supporting the candle jar.
 21. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the candle jar lid receiving cavity includes a hinged door.
 22. The housing according to claim 15 wherein the candle jar receiving cavity is translucent. 